Specific Heat Capacity: Formulas and Calculations

Year 10 Science Understanding Energy Transfer in Materials

What is Specific Heat Capacity?

The amount of energy needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C Different materials require different amounts of energy Measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C) Water has a high specific heat capacity (4200 J/kg°C)

The Specific Heat Capacity Formula

Worked Example 1

Calculate the energy needed to heat 2 kg of water by 15°C Given: m = 2 kg, c = 4200 J/kg°C, Δθ = 15°C Q = m × c × Δθ Q = 2 × 4200 × 15 = 126,000 J = 126 kJ

Worked Example 2

A 0.5 kg copper block is heated and gains 8400 J of energy The temperature rises by 40°C. Find the specific heat capacity of copper Rearrange: c = Q ÷ (m × Δθ) c = 8400 ÷ (0.5 × 40) = 8400 ÷ 20 = 420 J/kg°C

Your Turn to Calculate!

How much energy is needed to heat 500g of aluminium by 25°C? Specific heat capacity of aluminium = 900 J/kg°C Remember to convert grams to kilograms! Work in pairs - you have 3 minutes